| Would your travel insurance policy cover you if | | | | insurance policy will not cover for professional |
| you fell off an elephant while on holiday in Phuket? | | | | sporting activities and you cannot work (paid or |
| Well, maybe - but there could be a reduction in | | | | unpaid) as a guide or instructor to others. |
| the available benefits. However, if you were on a | | | | Most travel insurance policies will contain a clause |
| holiday which included trekking by camel or | | | | in their General Exclusions section regarding 'willful |
| elephant you would not be covered because the | | | | exposure to danger or peril' (unless in an attempt |
| activity would be classified as 'non-incidental.' | | | | to save human life). The onus is on you to |
| Confused yet? The subject of travel insurance | | | | exercise reasonable care to prevent illness, injury, |
| for 'hazardous activities' can be very complicated! | | | | or loss or damage to your property. In other |
| Many travel insurance policies automatically cover | | | | words - you should always act as if you are not |
| for 'incidental' activities. The term 'incidental basis' | | | | insured and not tempt fate! |
| means that your participation in an activity is on a | | | | When it comes to winter sports, you do not |
| casual, fortuitous, occasional, or minor basis. In | | | | normally have automatic coverage with your |
| contrast, sports tours or activity holidays; for | | | | travel insurance policy and will need to pay an |
| example, a week's white water rafting on the | | | | additional premium. Most winter sports policies do |
| Colorado River is considered non-incidental. | | | | not cover for anything other than normal skiing |
| The term 'hazardous activity' for insurance | | | | and boarding activities. Dangerous activities such |
| purposes generally means any activity where it is | | | | as ski jumping, heli-skiing, ski acrobatics, freestyle |
| recognized that there is an increased risk of injury | | | | skiing, ski racing or training, ice hockey, and |
| or it can be reasonably expected to exacerbate | | | | bobsledding would be excluded unless |
| an existing medical condition. | | | | pre-approved. Exclusions would also apply to |
| You should be covered to participate in an activity | | | | offpiste skiing in areas designated as unsafe by |
| such as canoeing, hot air ballooning, camel riding, | | | | the resort management. |
| jet skiing, deep sea fishing, horse riding or | | | | Travel insurance policies can vary a lot so if you |
| snorkeling on a limited basis but not in excess, i.e. | | | | should be offered free insurance or ludicrously |
| a planned adventure holiday where you would be | | | | cheap insurance it would be wise to check and |
| participating in the activity on a daily basis. | | | | see what it actually covers! You may find, for |
| For incidental activities which are considered more | | | | instance, that there will be no liability cover under |
| dangerous, such as abseiling or playing amateur | | | | certain circumstances or for certain activities. You |
| rugby, claims resulting from these activities could | | | | may be covered for some potentially hazardous |
| mean a reduction in the amount of personal | | | | activities - but only if you remain within certain |
| accident benefit and an increase in the 'excess' for | | | | limited guidelines for that activity. |
| medical expenses. | | | | It is up to the underwriter whether they decide |
| Another group might include activities considered | | | | to provide cover for any unusual type of risk. |
| dangerous which you would participate in on a | | | | You would need to contact the travel insurance |
| regular basis, i.e. 'non-incidental.' Claims relating to | | | | company in advance to discuss any potentially |
| these activities are also likely to be subject to a | | | | hazardous activities. In some cases, you may be |
| reduction in the amount of personal accident | | | | able to obtain cover, but only after payment of |
| cover and an increase in the excess for medical | | | | an additional premium or an amendment to the |
| expenses. These activities might include cycling | | | | policy. If in doubt - always ask first. It will be |
| (touring), pony trekking, safaris, and sailing | | | | difficult, it not impossible, to find a company which |
| holidays. | | | | will add cover for a hazardous activity to your |
| Sports, which include racing of any type (except | | | | policy once you are on holiday. If you should find |
| on foot), would usually have to be approved in | | | | yourself in this position, it would be wise to avoid |
| advance. The same would apply to activities such | | | | the activity - or attempt to purchase insurance |
| as: mountaineering (while using ropes), potholing, | | | | where you are. |
| hang-gliding, caving, micro-lighting, motor racing, | | | | Are you less confused now? Imagine you are on |
| and parachuting (other than a solo or tandem | | | | holiday in Egypt. You decide to go on a camel ride. |
| jump) in excess of one jump and bungee jumping | | | | You fall off and break your leg. Would your travel |
| (in excess of one jump). Motorcycling may be | | | | insurance cover you? Depending on your particular |
| covered provided an additional premium is paid, | | | | policy, the insurance should cover you - because |
| but is often subject to restrictions such as riding | | | | your participation in the activity was on an |
| your own motorcycle up to a certain engine size, | | | | incidental basis! |
| and not including any type of racing. Your travel | | | | |